In the past, I’ve written about specific foods and targeted supplements for managing blood sugar levels and protecting against diabetic complications. Now I want to tell you about three herbal therapies that can support healthy glucose metabolism. All are available in health food stores or through online supplement retailers.

The first is Gymnema sylvestre. This herbal extract comes from the leaves of a climbing plant native to the forests of central and south India. The leaves of the plant contain gymnemic acids, which have been shown to slow the transport of glucose from the intestines to the bloodstream. This, in turn, helps to keep blood sugar levels in the healthy range. In a study of 22 people with type 2 diabetes, supplementation with this herb resulted in improved blood sugar control across the board. Sixteen of the 22 patients were able to reduce their oral medications while five discontinued them altogether. I recommend 200–400 mg of Gymnema sylvestre daily.Banaba leaf extract (Lagestroemia speciosa), which comes from Asia, is another herbal extract worth adding to your arsenal. This herb contains corosolic acid, which promotes glucose transport into cells, keeping blood sugar on an even keel. In one Japanese clinical trial, 24 people with diabetes were given a supplement containing banaba leaf or a placebo each day for four weeks. While those taking the placebo showed no improvement, significant blood sugar declines were observed in the people taking the herb (average 153.9 to 133.1 mg/dL). I suggest taking 15–48 mg of banaba leaf daily.

The third herb is mulberry leaf extract. It inhibits the absorption of carbohydrates in the gut, so it reduces the post-meal blood sugar spikes that are so problematic in diabetes. University of Minnesota scientists found that when people with type 2 diabetes took mulberry leaf extract along with a hefty dose of sucrose, it lowered the blood sugar increase over the next two hours by an impressive 44% compared to a placebo. The extract is also reported to help curb appetite, which makes sense given the role blood sugar swings play in food cravings. The product used in the study was Glucocil. Use as directed.